Agility
SummerTraining
Summer training begins on the 8th of April, at Auchincruive's all-weather hockey pitch (at the Scottish Agricultral College).
Mainstream training is on Thursdays from 18:30 (but this will get a bit later as the nights get longer). Note: No trainer available 5th, 12th & 19th August 2010.
If you train, then please contribute to SETTING UP or PUTTING AWAY the agility equipment.
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to many of the P&DDTC agility competitors whose dogs are progressing through the ranks of agility grades.
Success stories include: Rebecca Kennedy with Mackie winning out of large grade 1 into grade 2. Beth Shankland with Meg winning out of large grade 2 into grade 3. Bobby Wilson with Pippa winning out of large grade 2 into grade 3. Lorna Stewart with Charlie winning out of large grade 4 and into grade 5. Sally ann Ross with Elli winning out of small grade 1 into grade 2. Gillian Bennie with Rocky winning out of small grade 2 into grade 3.
If there are more of you with success stories, let us know and we will brag about you here.
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WHAT IS AGILITY?
Dog agility is something akin to Badminton horse trials, without the hooves! Whilst a modest level of fitness is taken for granted one does not have to be a Linford Christie or Sally Gunnel to take part in this sport.
The aim of the sport is to guide your dog through a series of obstacles within a course time. The skill levels involved range from good obedience control for Starter Agility through to advanced commands at senior level. Opinion varies on the best way of training your dog for agility. Prestwick & District DTC uses motivational methods to encourage both handler and dog to achieve these aims. If the dog enjoys what it is doing it will want to learn more and the more a dog learns, the more it can learn. In general it is recognised that it takes about two years to train the dog and four or five years to train the handler!
There are numerous agility events throughout Scotland and points gained at kennel club Sanctioned events in the UK are totalled annually to produce the top agility dog within each region at each working level. Personal and interclub rivalry ensures that his amateur sport enjoys both social interaction and real competition! Trophies range from colourful rosettes to impressive pieces for your mantelpiece.
If you want to take part in agility, whether that be just for training purposes or with competition in mind, all you need is a dog with basic obedience training, this is where Prestwick and District can help. Agility is physically beneficial to both dog and handler but most importantly it is a tremendously enjoyable way to enjoy some quality time with friends, canine and human alike.
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P&DDTC club employs motivational training methods and does not support harsh handling or use of choke chains. Handlers are encouraged to reinforce desired behaviours, rather than punish unwanted ones, using food and/or toys as a reward. |
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